blue. In the afternoon Wade reached Elgeria, a small hamlet, but
important by reason of its being on the main stage line, and because
here miners and cattlemen bought supplies. It had one street, so wide it
appeared to be a square, on which faced a line of bold board houses with
high, flat fronts. Wade rode to the inn where the stagecoaches made
headquarters. It suited him to feed and rest his horses there, and
partake of a meal himself, before resuming his journey.

The proprietor was a stout, pleasant-faced little woman, loquacious and
amiable, glad to see a stranger for his own sake rather than from
considerations of possible profit. Though Wade had never before visited
Elgeria, he soon knew all about the town, and the miners up in the
hills, and the only happenings of moment--the arrival and departure
of stages.

"Prosperous place," remarked Wade. "I saw that. An' it ought to be
growin'."

"Not so prosperous fer me as it uster be," replied the lady. "We did
well when my husband was alive, before our competitor come to town. He
runs a hotel where miners can drink an' gamble. I don't.... But I reckon
I've no cause to complain. I live."

"Who runs the other hotel?"

"Man named Smith. Reckon thet's not his real name. I've had people here
who--but it ain't no matter."

"Men change their names," replied Wade.